How Fast Fashion Is Killing The Planet (And What Can You Do About It?)

1. How Fast Fashion Is Killing The Planet (And What Can You Do About It?) In fast fashion, the clothes and handbags are cheaply made and charged at low prices where a shopper like you can even think that you’re able to buy a lot of fashion items. However, the price of cheap fashion is high when it comes to environmental damage. Do you know that fast fashion is killing the planet and your ethics without you even realizing it? What can you do about it as a shopper? An Introduction to Fast Fashion Industry Rather than manufacturing high-quality items, fast fashion companies are selling their cheap, disposable, and low-quality items influenced by heavy marketing just to appeal shoppers. Fast fashion items can quickly go out of style, fall apart, and must be regularly replaced.

2. Do you know that fast fashion even changed the clothing industry from the traditional fashion seasons of Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer to 52 micro fashion seasons? Yes, they are using fashion trends to make you feel the need to shop more in order to look fashionable. They are also hoping to get their customers see clothing as something that they can wear and throw away, rather than urge you to save for the long haul. Things Fast-Fashion Industry Doesn’t Want You to Know THE FAST-FASHION INDUSTRY ENCOURAGES SHOPPERS TO BUY MORE THAN THEY NEED. According to the book Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion by Elizabeth Cline, the main reason why fast fashion items are priced cheaper is to make the shoppers buy more items than they really need. One of the strategic marketing they use is to flood the market with endless choices, so shoppers will be overwhelmed with the chances to look fashionable and trendy. Yes, fashion trends are being used so you can be greedy into buying fast-fashion items without realizing it. However, trendy clothes are just easy to look “out of fashion” on the next seasons—so the cycle continues: You’ll buy new trendy fast-fashion items of the moment just to cop the latest look, and toss them the next season when they’re out of style. If You Treat Fast Fashion As Disposable, Your Clothing Will End Up In Landfill. Do you know that fast fashion items are not meant to last? Since most of them aren’t of high-quality, you won’t be able to use them for a lifetime—and who would want your cheap, old clothes and worn out handbags?

3. You can only wear them a few times because they are of poor quality—they rip, wear out after a wash, and were not designed to fit properly. In order to deal with increasing labor and materials costs, fast fashion manufacturers even replace quality sewing with looser, less secured stitching especially on handbags. You might even think that you can make some money out of them by taking them to a thrift store. However, they would probably reject most of your old fast-fashion clothes, because of damages, or because they are no longer in fashion. Yes, the old-fashioned kind of recycling, donating, and reselling of secondhand clothes is just a myth, when it comes to fast-fashion. Your next step is likely to throw those old clothes in the trash. FAST FASHION IS POLLUTING THE PLANET. Do you know that The New York Times notes some manufacturers of fast fashion that use lead to create bright hues? In fact, using lead is common to dye inexpensive fabrics like vinyl and plastic— and there is no good level for lead exposure.

4. Some fast-fashion companies even claimed using natural fibers, like cotton, linen, silk, or semi- synthetic fibers so they can act like food waste when buried. However, you can’t compost old clothes, even if they’re made of natural materials. Why? Remember, natural fibers have been bleached and dyed on chemical baths—and they release toxins when buried or burned. Also, synthetic fibers are a type of plastic made from petroleum that will take thousands of years to biodegrade. Apart from it, do you know that the clothing industry is the second-highest polluter of clean water? Yes, most fast-fashion companies dump toxic chemicals into the environment—clothing production is a land-and-water-intensive industry. What You Can Do About This Fast-Fashion Nightmare? 1. CONSIDER SECONDHAND FASHION ITEMS. Do you know that buying secondhand is one of the best ways to reduce your clothing footprint? Most of the time, secondhand items are of higher quality than fast-fashion items. This is especially true if the clothing is made from natural fibers and handbags are made from real leather. Also, shopping secondhand will let you find high quality, unique fashion items at a fraction of the price of buying new. A great thing, it is sustainable, and it will keep your money from going to businesses that exploit workers. Our Cobbler Legend Leather Handbag is made of high-quality materials and of a classic style that will stand the test of time. By considering buying pre-worn fashion items, you’ll be able to make a step to combat the environmental impact of fast-fashion.

5. 2. BUY ONLY HIGH-QUALITY FASHION ITEMS THAT ARE MADE TO LAST. You don’t have to give up shopping completely, but to protect our environment you can be more selective with what you buy. If you opt for a high-quality handbag, you’ll be able to use it for a lifetime, while directing your budget away from multiple throwaway items. You may also invest in ethical clothing, but be wary of greenwashing. There are a lot of aspects that make a fashion item sustainable or not. Before buying something fashionable, consider if its price reflects its quality—if it’s cheap in price and cheaply made, then it won’t last long.

6. High-quality doesn’t always mean expensive—you can even steal some affordable fashion items that look elegant. You might want to check our post on “How to Select Affordable Bags That Look Classy and Expensive” so you’ll know what to search for. 3. STOP CHASING TRENDS AND FASHION-FORWARD LOOKS. Do you know that fast fashion relies on our wants for something new, and the idea that happiness comes from things? Before shopping, consider if you really need a new wardrobe or a new handbag—most of the time, we’re just letting big businesses brainwash us into lusting after looks. Apart from that, chasing fashion trends will make us lose our happiness, why? If we buy things just to fit in, we often have to work twice as hard just to afford those trendy items, changing how we view fashion and our lifestyle too. Unfortunately, we never really get to have that happiness that we strive to get from the purchase as it is a constant chase. If you really love a trendy style, you may go for a handbag that fits most with your personality, so you’ll be willing to use it regardless of trends and seasons. Our Architectural Messenger Bag is just perfect for women who love to look modern and fashion-forward while looking classy at the same time.

7. 4. BUILD A CAPSULE WARDROBE. If you have a closet full of clothes yet caught in a nothing-to-wear dilemma, building a capsule wardrobe is a great solution for you. Typically, a capsule wardrobe consists of only 30 high-quality and much loved fashion items that will give you a timeless style. Instead of owning handbags of different shapes, sizes, and colors, you may consider getting an all- rounder bag that can take you from work to weekends. Our Classy Leather Shoulder Bag is stylish and versatile enough to mix and match with all of your outfits. If you’re a stylish gent working in a casual office, our Backpack Travel Bag is a practical bag choice for carrying your laptop at work or packing for a weekend getaway. Do you know that eliminating the decision of what to wear each morning will let you make space for more important things too?

8. 5. DON’T THINK OF FASHION ITEMS AS A DISPOSABLE PRODUCT. Some women prefer to buy designer handbags that will benefit them in the long run, while some prefer cheaply made bags that can be bought in multiples. Regardless of your budget, never think of your clothes and accessories as disposable products. Do you know that you can even invest in a classic non-designer handbag that will last you for years to come? Read our post on “Ultimate Guide to Selecting the Best Investment Bag for Women” so you’ll know what to look for in a high-quality handbag.

9. If you’re still attracted to the idea of cheap, disposable clothing, think again. Most of the time, you might just feel the lust of having something new—whether it’s a handbag, shoes, dresses, and accessories—but it doesn’t actually make you feel good in the long run. Before buying something, ask questions like: “Will I actually use this handbag a year from now?”, “Does this handbag look great with most of my outfits?”, or “Is this handbag make me more confident and comfortable with my sartorial choices?” Our Genuine Leather Alligator Top-Handle Bag will look elegant with your office outfits, night outs attire, and party dresses—so you’ll get the most of your purchase. 6. BUY THINGS THAT YOU NEED, NOT JUST WHAT YOU WANT. Just because something is cheap, it doesn’t mean you have to buy a lot of it. Remember, our shopping decisions are having a catastrophic impact on our planet. Also, it is not a bargain if you don’t wear it, and it ends up in your wardrobe with the tags still on. If you’re desperately in need of a new handbag to wear to work, invest in something that you really love. Instead of buying handbags in rainbow colors, think of something classic and versatile like our Crocodile Patterned Business Bag. It can take you from office to weekends, and it can make you look sophisticated and put-together every time. 7. BE CREATIVE AND RE-WEAR FASHION ITEMS IN DIFFERENT WAYS. Instead of buying a fancy dress or a trendy bag that you can only wear on special occasions, consider investing on separates—blouse and skirt, top and pants, or classic handbag—that can be dressed up or down. This way, it’s easier for you to mix and match your fashion ensembles to create new styles and outfits. Getting off the treadmill of fast-fashion clothing will let you define your personal style too. Instead of going shopping, why not think of do-it-yourself projects that will revamp your old fashion items like top, pants, bags, purses, and shoes, letting you showcase your artistic skills and creativity at the same time?

10. Do you know that a little customization can go a long way to livening up a basic blouse, jeans, and even handbag? Read our post on “8 Creative Ways to Fix and Add Style to Your Bag” soyou’ll be able to breathe life into your boring old handbags stuffed in the back of your closet. We love fashion, but we don’t want our clothes to come at the cost of our planet—it’s time to make a choice to change the fast-fashion industry.